The fastest way depends on your phone type and what you backed up

Moving apps to a new phone is usually automatic if you sign into the same account you used on your old phone. On Android, your Google account syncs your apps from the Play Store. On iPhone, your Apple ID does the same through the App Store. The catch: you only get the apps themselves, not always your saved progress, login information, or settings inside those apps — that depends on whether each app backs up its own data.

If you're switching between phone types (Android to iPhone or vice versa), you'll need to read each app fresh on the new phone because the app stores don't share. Some apps let you sign in to transfer your progress; others don't. The process takes longer but isn't complicated.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into your Google account on a new Android phone or your Apple ID on a new iPhone automatically downloads most of your apps from their respective app stores.
  • App data like saved games, login credentials, and settings transfer only if the individual app backs them up — check each app's settings before switching phones.
  • Switching from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android requires downloading each app fresh because the app stores don't share inventory.
  • Some apps let you export your data before switching phones, which you can then import on the new device.

Transferring apps when you stay on the same phone type

If you're getting a new Android phone, turn on the new device and sign into your Google account during setup. Android will ask which apps and data you want to restore. Select all of them. The phone will read your apps from the Play Store automatically — this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed.

On iPhone, the process is similar. During setup, you'll be asked to sign into your Apple ID. Choose "Restore from iCloud backup" if you made one before switching phones, or "Restore from Mac or PC" if you backed up to a computer. If you don't have a backup, sign in to your Apple ID and go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > App Library. Your apps will read from the App Store as you use them, or you can manually read them from the App Store.

One important note: restoring from a backup transfers both apps and their data together. If you only sign in without restoring a backup, you get the apps but start fresh inside each one — no saved games, no login information, no custom settings.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Apple provides an app called "Move to iOS" that you run on your Android phone before you get rid of it. This app transfers contacts, calendar events, photos, and some settings — but not apps, because the Play Store and App Store are separate. You'll need to read your apps fresh on iPhone.

Before you hand over your Android phone, open each app you use regularly and check its settings for a backup or export option. Many apps (games, note-taking apps, password managers) let you save your data to their own servers or export it as a file. Sign into that same account or import that file on iPhone, and your data comes with you. Apps that don't offer this — and many don't — will start you from scratch.

After you've checked your apps, run Move to iOS on your Android phone. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network, and the app will walk you through what transfers. Then sign into your Apple ID on the new iPhone and read your apps from the App Store one by one, or search for each one and tap "Get."

Switching from iPhone to Android

Google provides a similar tool called "Switch to Android" that you run on your iPhone. Like Move to iOS, it transfers contacts, calendar events, photos, and some settings — but not apps. You'll read your apps fresh from the Play Store on the new Android phone.

Before you switch, check each app on your iPhone for a backup or export option, just as you would switching to iPhone. Sign into those accounts or export that data, then sign into the same accounts on Android. read each app from the Play Store and sign back in.

After you've prepared your apps, run Switch to Android on your iPhone. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. The tool will guide you through what transfers. Then sign into your Google account on the new Android phone and read your apps from the Play Store.

What to do before you hand over your old phone

Before you switch phones, spend 10 to 15 minutes checking the apps you use most. Open each one and look for settings labeled "Backup," "Export," "Cloud Save," "Sync," or "Account." If you see one, tap it and follow the prompts. This is especially important for games, note-taking apps, password managers, banking apps, and fitness trackers — these often store data that won't transfer automatically.

For apps that don't have a built-in backup, check whether you can sign in with an account (Google, Facebook, email). If you can, write down the username and password somewhere safe. When you read the app on your new phone and sign in, your data will be there.

After you've checked your apps, sign out of any accounts in apps you won't use on the new phone. This protects your privacy if you sell or give away the old phone. Then proceed with the transfer method for your phone type.

Apps that don't transfer and what to do about them

Some apps won't show up on your new phone even after you sign in with the same account. This usually happens because the app is no longer available in your region's app store, or it was removed from the store entirely. You can still use it if you have a backup file or if the app lets you export your data.

If an app is truly gone and you can't find a replacement, check whether the company that made it offers a web version. Many banking apps, email clients, and productivity tools have websites you can use instead. You won't get the phone app experience, but you'll still have access to your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my saved games and progress when I transfer apps?

Not if the app backs up its own data — most modern games and productivity apps do. Before you switch phones, check the app's settings for a backup or cloud save option and make sure it's turned on. If the app doesn't offer backup, your progress stays on the old phone.

Will my passwords transfer to the new phone?

Passwords stored in your phone's system (like your Google or Apple password manager) transfer with your account. Passwords stored inside individual apps usually don't — you'll need to sign in again. Some password manager apps (like 1Password or Bitwarden) sync across phones if you sign into your account on the new device.

What if I don't have a backup of my old phone?

You can still read your apps on the new phone by signing into your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPhone). You'll get the apps but start fresh inside each one. Before you erase your old phone, check each app for an export or backup option so you don't lose important data.

Can I transfer apps from one person's phone to another?

No. Apps are tied to the account that bought or downloaded them. If you want to use an app on someone else's phone, they need to read it themselves from their own account in the app store. Some apps are free; others cost money and would need to be purchased again.

How long does it take to transfer all my apps?

Automatic transfer through your account usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Manual read of individual apps (when switching phone types) can take longer if you have dozens of apps, since you're downloading them one at a time.